The city of Stayton is hoping to bring more people and businesses to its historic downtown. The area has started to fill with new shops and restaurants and a coalition of business and property owners, local leaders, and city officials has organized to plan events and promotions, as well as help implement design changes. The group is closer to its goal thanks to a Community Projects grant from Marion County.
Today, Revitalize Downtown Stayton was awarded $8,500 in economic development funding for design planning and development in preparation for grant applications to complete façade improvements. The project will focus on Third Avenue restoring an historic sense to the area.
Steve Poisson of Revitalize Downtown Stayton said, "The architectural services we are able to purchase with this grant money is an immensely important first step in the façade improvement work we have set as a priority goal. Not only will it be used for applications to other grants to complete the work, it will also serve as a template for all future work in our focus area."
This project is similar to façade improvement grants awarded to Mt. Angel and Mill City. Additionally, the city of Donald was able to expand its urban growth boundary to support housing and industrial property needs with the assistance of a planning grant. Commissioner Kevin Cameron, board chair, said, "These are excellent examples of how the county is supporting rural communities to make them great places to live, work, and play. We are fortunate to have great partners in all 20 of Marion County's cities."
In the current year, Marion County has allocated $60,000 to support community projects grants. Grants provide funding to nonprofits and municipalities for projects that promote economic development by increasing the livability and safety within communities and unincorporated areas of the county. Community projects grants are accepted on an ongoing basis. For more information, contact Economic Development Coordinator Tom Hogue at (503) 589-3277 or thogue@co.marion.or.us.
Funding for economic development grants is made available through state video lottery proceeds. Annually, the Board of Commissioners directly designates a portion of lottery funding to support infrastructure and organizations that focus on economic development. In the last five years, Marion County has awarded more than $350,000 to 39 community projects throughout the county.
